Meshal’s visit marked the 25th anniversary of the group’s founding, which occurred with the start of the first intifada. In the aftermath of the eight-day Israeli assault that left over 160 Palestinians and six Israelis dead, many analysts agreed that Hamas emerged stronger than ever as the face of resistance in the eyes of Palestinians – especially when the alternative Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority relies on American/EU financial assistance and is seen as a corrupt partner of the West/Israel that prefers a negotiated settlement that will never happen.

That’s what the media reported.

Here’s what the media failed, with few exceptions, to report: that 25 years ago Israel worked with then newly established Hamas to undermine the secular nationalist Fatah-dominated Palestine Liberation Organization during the uprising. It’s a policy that goes back to the origins of the Islamic Association – Hamas’ predecessor founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1979.

“Israel and Hamas may currently be locked in deadly combat, but, according to several current and former U.S. intelligence officials, beginning in the late 1970s, Tel Aviv gave direct and indirect financial aid to Hamas over a period of years.

Israel ‘aided Hamas directly — the Israelis wanted to use it as a counterbalance to the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization),’ said Tony Cordesman, Middle East analyst for the Center for Strategic Studies.

Israel’s support for Hamas ‘was a direct attempt to divide and dilute support for a strong, secular PLO by using a competing religious alternative,‘ said a former senior CIA official.”

Despite these reports, the American mainstream media haven’t bothered to report this past relationship; no doubt as part of its pro-Israel bias that even goes beyond Israeli media. Compare the coverage of the 2004 Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin between the Associated Press and the Israeli daily Ha’aretz.

“1948: Yassin family uprooted in creation of the state of Israel. Yassin growsup in Gaza refugee camps. At age 12 is paralyzed in sporting accident. He laterraises 11 children in three-room apartment in Gaza City slum.

“1948 – the Yassin family becomes refugees. Yassin grows up in Gaza refugee camps. At age 12 he is paralyzed in sporting accident. He later raises 11 children in three-room apartment in Gaza City slum.

1965 – the Egyptian intelligence service arrests Yassin for Muslim Brotherhood activities. He is held for a month.

1979 – Islamic Association, headed by Yassin, is recognized by the IDF as a counterweight to Fatah. Yassin gets medical treatment in Israel.

1984 – Yassin is sentenced to 13 years in prison for weapons possession, establishment of an armed organization and calling for Israel’s destruction.”